Catholic bishops have urged Nigerians to defend themselves against marauding killers where the security agencies fail to protect them.
The bishops spoke at the end of the second plenary meeting of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province at Bishop’s House, Okigwe on Monday.
According to a communiqué of the meeting signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna and Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, respectively, the bishops said it was biblical for people to protect their lives, and defend their homes and property.
They observed that no real development could take place in an unsafe environment.
Expressing concern over incessant killings and other atrocities across the nation, the cleric said it cast serious doubt on the willingness and capability of the security agencies to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.
“Kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, incessant killings, which have continued unabated, cast serious doubts on the willingness and capability of our security outfits to rise up to their constitutional responsibilities.
“Rise up in prayer to God in vigilance and in legitimate self-defence, for the right to life, to our homes and to our lands that is God-given,” the communiqué read in part.
The Catholic bishops urged the governors as chief security officers of their states to rise to the occasion to protect their people’s lives and livelihoods.
They called especially on the governors of Abia and Imo states to protect their people against violent herdsmen, kidnappers and other criminals terrorising the people.
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